Sarga 15: The Gods Beseech Vishnu
Devaganena Vishnu Prarthana
During Dasaratha's sacrifice, the gods petition Brahma for relief from Ravana, who is unslayable by all but man; Vishnu resolves to be born as Dasaratha's four sons and destroy him.
Jump to a shloka · 31 in this sarga
मेथावी तु ततो ध्यात्वा स किञ्चिदिदमुत्तरम्। लब्धसंज्ञस्ततस्तं तु वेदज्ञो नृपमब्रवीत्।।1.15.1।।
Meaning
That intellectual sage, having pondered for a while and regained clarity, spoke to the Veda-knowing king.
इष्टिं तेऽहं करिष्यामि पुत्रीयां पुत्रकारणात्। अथर्वशिरसि प्रोक्तैर्मन्त्रैस्सिद्धां विधानत:।।1.15.2।।
Meaning
"I shall perform for you the Putrakameshti, the sacrifice for sons, made effective by mantras declared in the Atharva-shiras, according to tradition."
तत: प्राक्रमदिष्टिं तां पुत्रीयां पुत्रकारणात्। जुहाव चाग्नौ तेजस्वी मन्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा।।1.15.3।।
Meaning
Then the resplendent sage began that sacrifice for sons, pouring oblations into the fire with mantras and ritual acts exactly as prescribed.
ततो देवास्सगन्धर्वास्सिद्धाश्च परमर्षय: । भागप्रतिग्रहार्थं वै समवेता यथाविधि।।1.15.4।।
Meaning
Then the gods, together with gandharvas, siddhas, and great sages, assembled according to tradition to receive their share of the offering.
तास्समेत्य यथान्यायं तस्मिन्सदसि देवता:। अब्रुवन् लोककर्तारं ब्रह्माणं वचनं महत्।।1.15.5।।
Meaning
Those gods, having gathered properly in that assembly, spoke these important words to Brahma, creator of the worlds.
भगवन्त्वत्प्रसादेन रावणो नाम राक्षस:। सर्वान्नो बाधते वीर्याच्छासितुं तं न शक्नुम:।।1.15.6।।
Meaning
"O Lord, a rakshasa named Ravana, empowered by your grace, oppresses all of us by his might, and we are unable to restrain him."
त्वया तस्मै वरो दत्त: प्रीतेन भगवन्पुरा। मानयन्तश्च तं नित्यं सर्वं तस्य क्षमामहे।।1.15.7।।
Meaning
"O Lord, pleased with him long ago, you granted him a boon — and out of respect for that boon, we endure all his cruelty always."
उद्वेजयति लोकान्स्तीनुच्छ्रितान्द्वेष्टि दुर्मति:। शक्रं त्रिदशराजानं प्रधर्षयितुमिच्छति।।1.15.8।।
Meaning
That evil-minded one torments the three worlds, hates their guardians, and desires even to assault Indra, lord of the celestials.
ऋषीन्यक्षान्सगन्धर्वानसुरान्ब्राह्मणांस्तथा। अतिक्रामति दुर्धर्षो वरदानेन मोहित:।।1.15.9।।
Meaning
That unassailable one, intoxicated by your boon, transgresses against sages, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, and brahmins alike.
नैनं सूर्य: प्रतपति पार्श्वे वाति न मारुत:। चलोर्मिमाली तं दृष्ट्वा समुद्रोऽपि न कम्पते।।1.15.10।।
Meaning
The sun does not scorch him, the wind does not blow near him, and even the restless-waved ocean grows still at the sight of him.